Setback for Toro's WA uranium mine plans

Toro Energy says it's extremely disappointed with a further delay to its Wiluna project in Western Australia, which is the front-runner as the state's first uranium mine.

The South Australia-based company late on Tuesday advised the Australian Securities Exchange that federal Environment Minister Tony Burke had delayed his decision on whether to approve the project.

Mr Burke advised the company that he wanted more information on specific aspects of the project and had extended the time to make his decision to March 31.

Toro managing director Greg Hall said the company was very surprised and extremely disappointed with the delay, although Mr Burke had told the explorer that he hoped to make his decision well in advance of March 31.

Mr Burke had previously advised he would make the decision by December 18 after pushing it back by 30 business days in early November.

Toro said it would seek meetings with the federal minister and the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities to clarify what extra information was sought, and was confident it could "adequately respond to any issues".

The project in WA's Mid West region has been approved by the state's environment minister Bill Marmion.

If his federal counterpart follows suit, the Toro board will then need to make a formal decision to proceed.

In 2008, the Liberal state government lifted a six-year ban on uranium mining that was imposed by the previous Labor government.

The Labor opposition still opposes uranium mining but says it will not stand in the way of any planned mine that has received approvals, if the party wins the state election on March 9.

Toro Energy shares plunged 14.5 per cent to 9.4 cents in early trade on Wednesday.